Can the Proteas bounce back at the Boxing Day Test match? Here's how to watch Australia vs South Africa, including start times, venue, team news, TV channels and live stream options around the world
There aren't many finer sights in cricket than the MCG rocking for the Boxing Day Test, especially when Australia are in such rampant form in a series with some serous needle.
South Africa were stuffed like a Christmas turkey at the Gabba - the six-wicket defeat somewhat flattering them. Travis Head's quickfire 92 and returning captain Pat Cummins' five-fer proving the difference maker. But Dean Elgar and his team will be keen to salvage their pride and the series by replicating their dominant win here from 14 years ago.
To ensure that you don't miss a moment of this year's spectacle, follow our guide to watch an Australia vs South Africa live stream in various countries around the world.
The action at the MCG is set to start at 10.30am local time on Boxing Day (Monday, December 26).
For viewers tuning in from the UK, that means pulling a complete all-nighter, with play starting at 11.30pm GMT on Christmas Day and each day after.
That's 1.30am in South Africa, 5am IST in India and 6.30pm ET / 3.30pm PT on Sunday afternoon in the US.
Australia v South Africa is being shown by BT Sport (jumping around between BT Sport 1 and 2) in the UK. Coverage commences at 11.30pm GMT, just before play commences on the evening of Christmas Day.
BT Sport is available as a standalone TV package or as an add-on for TV plans from the likes of Sky and Virgin Media.
If you don't want to commit to an expensive long term plan, you could alternatively choose a BT Sport Monthly Pass. This gives you all the BT Sport channels - including coverage of the Test cricket, Premier League and European football, Champions Cup rugby, UFC, boxing and more - for just £25 a month.
You can watch BT Sport in pretty much any device you can think of, including Apple, Android, Amazon Fire, Smart TVS, Roku and games consoles.
Click here to watch the cricket on BT Sport
Pat Cummins of Australia celebrating the wicket of Dean Elgar of South Africa at The Gabba [Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images]
If you're planning to watch Australia v South Africa on a television, then the good news is that every minute will be broadcast on Channel 7 and Channel 7 HD.
However, if you intend to watch on your laptop, mobile or other streaming device, then 7Plus doesn't have the right to live stream the action.
Instead, you'll either need a subscribtion to Foxtel (sport packages starting at $79 a month) or to specialist sports streamer Kayo Sports. Prices on the latter start at $25 a month and carry Fox's full spectrum of live sports. Plus you can try Kayo for free with a 7-day trial.
Click here to sign up to Foxtel
Click here to start a Kayo Sports free trial
SuperSport has the rights to show this series, with the 2nd Test appearting on its Grandstand channel. Coverage starts in the early hours of each morning at 1.20am.
SuperSport customers can stream via the DStv App or web browser, alongside SuperSport's dedicatd mobile app.
Watch cricket on SuperSport here
The Sony Sports Network has the rights to show this Test series. Its coverage starts at 5am IST on Sony Sports Ten 2 just in time for the start of play.
For anybody watching on the go, you can live stream Australia vs South Africa vs the SonyLiv app. Prices for SonyLiv start at ₹299 a month or ₹599 annually.
Specialist cricket streamer Willow has the rights to broadcast the Australia v South Africa live stream of this series. Coverage is set to begin at 6.30pm ET / 3.30pm PT just in time for the first over of the day.
Willow costs just $9.99 a month (or $60 for the year) and includes streaming of pretty much every major cricket competition, including the BBL, India's Test series in Bangladesh and much more besides.
It's available to watch via its mobile apps, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Android TV or via Xbox One.
Alternatively, you can add it as a channel to an existing cable plan (e.g. Dish, Spectrum, Xfinity) or a streaming service like Sling TV. Sling TV is a full cable replacement service that starts at $40 a month (currently half price for your first month) and then you can add the Willow channels for $7 a month.
Click here to get Willow TV direct
Click here to get Willow via a Sling TV plan
The hosts' one major selection headache was soothed by Josh Hazlewood's lost battle with injury. That means the Aussies are free to stick with the golden arm of Scott Boland and his 10.36 bowling average. Unsurprisingly, no other changes are made, either.
With the seam attack of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen set in stone, it was only really going to be South Africa's fragile batting order that may be shaken up for the MCG. Theunis de Bruyn is the only change, coming in at no.3 after Rassie van der Dussen's struggles at the Gabbatoir.
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon
Dean Elgar(c), Sarel Erwee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
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